Bus drivers' strike put on hold

HOBART — On February 1, Metro Tasmania — Tasmania's primary public transport provider — logged a claim with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission seeking an end to the bargaining period with its bus drivers. This would make a planned strike by bus drivers unlawful.

The February 2 Hobart Mercury reported that Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) state secretary Sandro Amicosante said: "Yesterday, the commissioner had recommended management and the union enter into another week of negotiations. The strike would be deferred for the time being."

The RTBU leadership decided not to take industrial action during the week of negotiations as it believes that it would improve likelihood of a "positive outcome" to the negotiations with Metro Tasmania.

The RTBU is seeking a 33% pay rise over three-year period, to bring Tasmanian drivers up to the same pay level as their interstate counterparts. Metro Tasmania has offered a 4% pay rise each year for three years.

Duncan Meerding

From Green Left Weekly, February 8, 2006.

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From GLW issue 655